HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 25) – With the start of the statewide walleye season approaching on May 3, the toughest choice for anglers may be deciding where to cast their lines. Recent sampling surveys by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) continue to show high-quality walleye fisheries in waters across the state.

“In terms of angler demand, walleye rank fourth behind trout, black bass and panfish among species targeted by anglers purchasing a fishing license in Pennsylvania,” said Tim Wilson, PFBC Area 1 Fisheries Biologist based in Linesville, Crawford County. “Anglers like fishing for walleye because they’re generally larger than trout and it’s a long season,” he said. “As an added benefit, walleye are among the best-tasting fish to eat.”

A list of Pennsylvania’s Best Walleye Fishing Waters is available here.

Because of angler interest, the PFBC has for decades widely stocked walleye fry and fingerlings across the state. Between 2008 and 2013, however, the PFBC suspended walleye stockings in all flowing waters as part of a comprehensive evaluation program to determine the levels of natural reproduction in previously stocked rivers. The results of that evaluation are included in the PFBC’s new Inland Walleye Management Plan, which is available online.

“It’s our responsibility to provide anglers with the best product in the most cost effective manner,” said Dave Miko, Chief of the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management. “If we can identify self-sustaining walleye populations, we can remove those waters from the stocking program and distribute fry and fingerlings where they are needed in order to meet angler demand.”

For example, survey work on the Allegheny River demonstrates that natural reproduction is occurring in the river, but is yielding greater young-of-year abundance and more consistency in downstream sections compared to upstream sections.

“These results suggest that natural reproduction is sufficient to maintain the current quality of the walleye fishery in the Allegheny River from Lock and Dam 6 near Ford City upstream to Oil City,” said Wilson. “These sections of the Allegheny River should not need continued stocking to maintain a high quality walleye fishery. But it is recommended that walleye fry stocking be resumed in a portion of the Allegheny River from the Kinzua Dam to Tionesta.”

Other major river sections which are managed for self-sustaining walleye populations include the Monongahela River; North Branch Susquehanna River; Youghiogheny River, from the Connellsville Dam downstream to the mouth ; Ohio River; and West Branch Susquehanna River, from Moose Creek downstream to Bald Eagle Creek.

Based on survey results, the PFBC will resume stocking walleye in Crawford County’s French Creek; the Juniata River from the confluence of the Raystown Branch downstream to the confluence of the Kishacoquillas Creek; and the Susquehanna River from the confluence of the Juniata River downstream to the York Haven Dam.

Stocking will not resume in the Delaware or Lehigh rivers.

Miko added that the evaluation program will be ongoing.

“A major part of the new Inland Walleye Management Plan is that all flowing waters that are returned or added to the walleye stocking program will be thoroughly evaluated to verify that stocking is adding to the population and that any fishery created is worth the expense of continued stocking,” added Miko.

Walleye season extends from May 3 through March 14 on Lake Erie and on Commonwealth inland waters. Anglers can keep up to six walleye per day. The minimum length is 15 inches.

On the Delaware River, the season extends from May 3 through March 14 on the portion between New York and Pennsylvania. The season is open year round on the portion of the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Anglers can keep up to three walleye per day. The minimum length on the Delaware River is 18 inches.

The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at fishandboat.com.